Heritage soccer: SCCS breaks out

SCCS beats Trinity in both teams’ Heritage League openers

The Santa Clarita Christian School girls soccer team was doing nearly everything right against Trinity Classical Academy on Friday at The Master’s College in both teams’ Heritage League opener.

There was just one problem — despite taking longer than expected to find the opening goal, SCCS completed the shut out 3-0.

Part of the struggle to score was because of the inexperience of a Cardinals team that features no seniors. The rest can be attributed to the stellar play of Trinity keeper Kaeli Massetto, who saved 14 shots in the contest.

All that changed, though, 35 minutes in to the first half when SCCS’ Tiffany Shroyer took a shot that ricocheted off the cross bar before junior Colette Blake headed the ball in for the game’s opening goal.

"We were all rushing down field and Tiffany’s shot hit the bar," Blake said. "I was laying back and I hit it for the goal."

The Cardinals (4-3) dominated possession in the game and created turnovers in the midfield almost every time the Knights tried to advance the ball.

But despite numerous opportunities to add to their lead, the Cardinals couldn’t find the net.

"(Trinity) packed it in. They blocked a lot of shots to their credit," said SCCS head coach Matt Gale. "We’re a very young team. The girls who had time rushed (shots)."

In addition to packing in defenders, Trinity (1-3) received a valiant effort from Massetto.

"She had stepped up this year," said head coach Christine Arnold. "She’s done an excellent job of being a leader on the field, the defense can trust her."

Eventually, though, the Cardinals broke through again as Shroyer used a beautiful finish from the left side of the goal to put SCCS ahead 2-0 midway through the second half.

Minutes later, the Cardinals’ Lauren Gallagher scored from directly in front of the net to put the score out of reach at 3-0.

SCCS missed an opportunity to extend the lead almost immediately when Shroyer’s shot hit the post for the second time in the game.

The match was the final game for both schools before the winter holiday.